Say something good about the other side

[Capper Al]

The one Republican that I disliked more than Trump was Ted Cruz. Yet he through out an idea during the campaign that I liked. I was surprised by this, but I'm sure when it comes to implementing it we would disagree. He suggested a 16% value added tax on both US and imported manufactured items as the only tax. I would say split it with the states on domestically produced items. There would be no loopholes and no deductions with no tax giveaways between states to attract business.

[Dave Schwartz]

I will call and raise a little.

I offer thee several statements:
(Been catching up on my Shakespeare.)
(I know. That's laughable, right? Hard to imagine that a cultural void such as myself would have 2 particular interests outside of horse racing: ballet and reading Alexander Shakespeare.)
(Yes, that was a joke. Like Joe Theismann's "Norman Einstein" quote.)

I challenge you to fulfill Al's challenge but in multiple directions. Please address both pros and cons on both sides. Show us how truly objective you are.


1. Pro Democrat
Hillary Clinton is a practiced politician. She would offer a much more "presidential" choice simply because she knows how to be President. Trump, on the other hand is a bit scary. Imagine if he throws one of his tantrums and calls a guy like Putin an eff-ing bitch or something similar. We could wind up in WW3, also known in the 24th century as the 2-hr war.

2. Pro Republican
Donald Trump truly appears to be honest. He would likely refuse to play ball and the entire business-as-usual attitude would be history for one term.

3. Anti Both Sides
Neither party gives 2 good craps about anything but staying in power. Neither side is our friend.

4. Pro Right
Look historically at the world. Look at what happens when there are poor and huddled masses. There are always a few at the very top who live in safety, true wealth and luxury. The system is always designed to protect and insulate them.

If you make (say) $400,000 per year, you think you make a lot of money, but it is not enough to protect you. (You still make more than I do.) Sure, you are comfortable. But when socialism comes for you, they're going to take everything from you because the only ones that will keep their fortunes are the ones who measure their annual incomes in the 10's of millions (or even more).


5a. Pro Left
If we're going to have a civilized society, we must have compassion for the poor. There is a distinct class system in place in the U.S. that begins with who you were born to. This makes social programs absolutely necessary.

While it is certainly possible to "pull yourselves up by your bootstraps, by God," it is pretty dang difficult as a _______ person. (Fill in the blank with an ethnic group of your choosing.)


5b. Rebuttal
The current social programs simply do not work. They discourage finding those bootstraps and are just a money pit for society.


Okay... I have about a dozen more, but this is enough.

[Dr Gonzo]

President Obama only lies when his lips move.

Hillary Clinton only lies when her lips move.

I can't believe I said good things about the progs/socialist/commies.

[johnhannibalsmith]

Originally Posted by Dave Schwartz

I challenge you to fulfill Al's challenge but in multiple directions. Please address both pros and cons on both sides. Show us how truly objective you are.

I have to take your amended challenge because as stated by Al, I'd have to endorse a reptile or at best one of those really happy, social people to find a suitable subject. And I'd like to play along with what seems like a sincere, worthwhile thread idea since ordinarily I'd try to avoid it.


1. Pro Democrat

First and foremost, they keep Republicans in check and help prevent them from ruining us any faster than necessary.

Anyone that tries to deny the positive contributions of what is basically now the Democratic party in expediting the advancement of equal protection under the law to all citizens is trying far too hard. Almost everyone has their own pet amendment or clause in the Constitution that becomes the singular important thing to them while conveniently blinding themselves to those that don't jive with their worldview, but this one is important to everyone. Even if you aren't part of the population that has been enfranchised since the 18th century thanks to the plights for equality under the law, you've still benefited by having your country remedy the major shortcomings in the application of its philosophies and the compromises made in order to just get the thing ratified so that we can stand before the world as a true leader on every level.

2. Pro Republican

First and foremost, they keep Democrats in check and help prevent them from ruining us any faster than necessary.

This one is simple. They are the only thing keeping us from plunging headlong into some massive central government black hole. Today's Republicans are hard to call "states rights advocates" or "small government conservatives", but on balance, they're at least in the same county as the ballpark.

3. Anti Both Sides

I don't think I need to waste anyone's time here.


4. Pro Right

Individual freedoms and liberty. Of course, right and left is tough to figure some times as what most consider right yell for the liberty to arm yourself, drive what you want, own what you want - property rights primarily - but are often also quick to legislate in favor of religious causes (for lack of a better expression) to the exclusion of those individuals that don't share the same fundamental beliefs upon which that legislation is crafted and without any specific Constitutional support to justify it. That isn't to say that they are wrong to have those beliefs or even advocate for a constituency that does, but it often has the effect of treading on the liberties of those that do not share the same beliefs.

5a. Pro Left

Individual freedoms and liberty. Yes, this is predictable, but whether it is enfranchising those that have been oppressed under the law as described above or advancing the causes of unpopular, even blasphemous to some, art, literature, music, you name it, it tends to be those that we identify as the left that fight back against crusades to stifle such expression. Obviously the lines get blurred and in many ways they've crisscrossed over the 20th and 21st centuries with soft language (someone explain why you are a hero if you use the phrase "people of color" and a racist if you say "colored people" when they mean literally the same thing), nobody is going to call the ACLU a right wing advocacy group.

5b. Rebuttal

I spoke in broad brushes and tried not to step on Dave's toes while being as brief as possible without expanding with a trillion disclaimers. My statements are generalizations that can be picked apart and that's fine if you'd prefer to take the narrow view. But ultimately, what I'm trying to say is that we all get some of it right. Which means that if we'd stop pissing on one another constantly, there's a chance we'd get a lot more right. Wonder twins activate.

[davew]

Hillary is very open minded and willing to change her positions. All it takes is a few million for persuasion.

[NorCalGreg]

While it is certainly possible to "pull yourselves up by your bootstraps, by God," it is pretty dang difficult as a _white_ person.


I couldn't even use the color "white" ...I had to use "lemon chiffon"...what does THAT say about our racist society?

[barahona44]

Pro Trump. Not a career politician.May help reduce the political corectness/victimization politics.Business background.Charasmatic personality.Appeal is to people who have been left behind by globalization.

Anti Trump. Thin skinned.Can dish out criticism but can't take it.Appeals to base prejudices.Demeans those who oppose him.Limited political experience.People might get tired of the act.Ego the size of Jupiter.Has benefitted from globalization.Has changed his positions and stands on issues over the years Four bankruptcies.

Pro Clinton. Experienced politician.Doesn't get rattled easily.Has a more centrist streak than given credit for.Husband presided over a decade of peace and prosperity rarely equalled in American history.Historic opportunity as the 1st female Presidential candidate.Keeps comments on opponents as professional, and not personal, as possible

Anti Clinton.Trust issues.Doesn't have a natural ability to connect with people.Serious legal problems potential. Can come across as shrill and victimy.May have to turn more leftward to appease Sanders voters .Huasband has his own baggage.May be too much of a career politician.Benghazi

[Capper Al]

Those that aren't finding anything good to say about the other side have been radicalized. As handicappers we should understand the wisdom of the public. We should realize that one half of the country can't be all correct and the other half clueless. These people have stopped thinking. And many of them are just rooting for their side.

[Tom]

Something good about democrats.....


Well, democrats.....uh....uh.....*cough*....*gasp*......

[boxcar]

Originally Posted by Capper Al

Those that aren't finding anything good to say about the other side have been radicalized. As handicappers we should understand the wisdom of the public.

Would that be the same public whose top choices lose on average 2 out of 3 races?

[Capper Al]

Originally Posted by boxcar

Would that be the same public whose top choices lose on average 2 out of 3 races?

Don't knock them unless you can do better which I doubt.

[Ocala Mike]

Pro-other side:

Being a 74-yo white male living in a rural area of a southern state, I would be instantly accepted into their ranks.

[Inner Dirt]

Even though I disagree with most of his views I think Bernie Sanders is basically honest and trustworthy especially considering he is a politician. I can't think of one thing nice to say about Hillary, the hag makes me sick, I cannot stand to hear her speak or even look at her.

[Fwizard]

As a republican I can easily see the positive about Democrats ---they have a view that we can all live a fantasy life--free healthcare, college, no guns, minimum wages that make everyone happy , everybody get to live a movie star fantasy life.....

[Clocker]

Originally Posted by Fwizard

As a republican I can easily see the positive about Democrats ---they have a view that we can all live a fantasy life--free healthcare, college, no guns, minimum wages that make everyone happy , everybody get to live a movie star fantasy life.....

How can you possibly be opposed to all that free stuff that no one ever has to pay for?

You must be radicalized.